JHank
Private
When in doubt, frag out.
Posts: 43
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Post by JHank on Jul 5, 2012 22:55:37 GMT -5
Hey all,
I bought a set of shelter halves the other day, with poles and everything. They're both the early type with the one open end and dated 1941.
I'm looking at them now, and I can't help but wonder if they are reproductions (don't worry, for what I paid, it's a great deal even for repros)... the fabric is in fantastic shape, the buttons retain 99% of their blackening, and the stamps are, for the most part, very strong. But, Upon further research, I found that all the manufacturers marked (H P Lau Co and Western Tent and Awning Co on one, and Omaha Seat Cover Co on the other) did manufacture during WWII. What really gets me, though, is the "U.S." marking on each half. Underneath the US, there is a smaller "S" on both. I have no idea what this means; I've never seen anything like it.
The guy was also selling lots of other old Boy Scout stuff, and I know the scouts frequently used the military pup tents, so my best, uneducated guess would be that maybe the S stands for "Scout"?
Has anyone ever seen/heard of this or have any ideas of what it could mean?
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JHank
Private
When in doubt, frag out.
Posts: 43
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Post by JHank on Jul 8, 2012 8:12:00 GMT -5
Okay, after having talked with some people at the museum I volunteer at, we've come to the conclusion that the tent is authentic due to the fact that the manufacturer markings match actual manufacturers during the war, and that none of the reproduction markings known are present. We're still baffled by the "S", though...our new best guess is that maybe it stands for "Supply Company" or something of the sorts. I'm just confused as to why a manufacturer would add that at the factory (it was clearly stamped with the "U.S." marking)...it seems more like a field modification to me.
Any ideas are welcome!
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